Land Rover close to Prince Philip’s heart to carry his coffin

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<strong>A Land Rover that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, helped design over 15 years ago will carry his coffin in the ceremonial funeral procession at Windsor Castle in south-east England on Saturday, according to a Buckingham Palace statement.</strong></p>
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The vehicle is believed to be a modified Defender 130 Gun Bus, which was commissioned for use by the Queen's late husband in 2005 – three years before the British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) were taken over by India’s Tata Motors.</p>
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"At Jaguar Land Rover, we are deeply saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," a JLR statement said.</p>
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"Our thoughts and condolences are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this time. His Royal Highness devoted his life to public service and made a significant contribution to British manufacturing, engineering and design," the Tata-owned company said.</p>
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The coffin of the senior royal will be loaded into the Land Rover for an eight-minute procession to the gates of St. George's Chapel, where the funeral is to begin with a national minute's silence at 3 pm local time on April 17.</p>
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"His Royal Highness's coffin will be carried in a purpose-built Land Rover – which The Duke was involved in the design of – flanked by military pallbearers, in a small ceremonial procession from the State Entrance to St. George's Chapel, for the funeral service. Members of the Royal Family and The Duke of Edinburgh's Household will walk behind the coffin," a Buckingham Palace statement said.</p>
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"The plans for the funeral are in line with The Duke of Edinburgh's own personal wishes, and the occasion will recognise and celebrate The Duke''s life and his more than 70 years of service to The Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth," it said.</p>
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<strong>Indian High Commission defers Baisakhi celebration</strong></p>
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The Indian High Commission in London confirmed the postponement of a planned Baisakhi celebration on Tuesday due to the week-long national mourning.</p>
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"In view of the sad demise of Duke of Edinburgh, the proposed event to celebrate Baisakhi and other festivals on 13th April stands postponed," the High Commission said.</p>
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The royal funeral is to be broadcast live and the public has been cautioned that anyone gathering at Windsor Castle on the day would not be able to view anything. In keeping current COVID-19 lockdown guidelines, only 30 guests will be in attendance and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given up his space for a member of the royal family.</p>
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"The Prime Minister has throughout wanted to act in accordance with what is best for the royal household, and so to allow for as many family members as possible will not be attending the funeral on Saturday," a 10 Downing Street spokesperson said.</p>
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Under normal circumstances, around 800 guests would have gathered for the funeral, including heads of government and state from around the world. But now with a 30-member limit, only the Queen's closest family, including her four children and their spouses as well as grandchildren will be in attendance.</p>
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It has been confirmed that grandson Prince Harry will fly down from the US to attend the funeral but his wife Meghan Markle, who is pregnant has been advised by her doctors not to undertake the journey.</p>
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Prince Charles, the eldest son and heir of the Queen, will be among the royals who will walk behind his father's funeral procession.</p>
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Prince Charles had begun accompanying the Queen on several royal engagements, including for the ceremonial state opening of Parliament, after his father officially retired from royal duties in 2017, a role set to be enhanced further.</p>
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Meanwhile, as parliamentarians prepare for a special tribute sitting of the House of Commons on Monday, there is growing cross-party support for a statue as a permanent memorial to the late Prince Philip on The Mall – the road leading up to Buckingham Palace from Trafalgar Square in London.</p>